The War of the Worlds.
"No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's": First Edition of H.G. Wells' Classic Novel; The War of the Worlds; with an autograph note signed by him
The War of the Worlds.
WELLS, H.G.
Item Number: 99674
London: William Heinemann, 1898.
First edition, first issue of this science fiction cornerstone; with an autograph note signed by H.G. Wells tipped in. Octavo, original grey cloth lettered in black. Currey’s state (A) with 16 pages publisher’s advertisements at end dated Autumn 1897. In excellent condition with some rubbing and wear. Near ownership inscription. One page, on Wells’ Chiltern Court cardstock stationary, the note reads, “Sept. 15. 33. Dear May, I hardly know … at all & I don’t know many editors. If I have a chance of putting in a word for you I will. Yours, H.G.” The note is in fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box made by the Harcourt Bindery.
"The War of the Worlds is a tour de force whose innumerable fictional offspring include numerous adaptations and homages, by far the most effective of which was Orson Welles’ Mercury Theater radio broadcast of 1938" (Anatomy of Wonder II-1234). Filmed several times, the first in 1953, starring Gene Barry and Ann Robinson and most recently in 2005 film directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning.
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